HELP - New to Ipod - Doesn't Bl**dy Work

[Lynn]

Not impossible - I downloaded it on my slow-as-hell ISDN line.

Just leave it going overnight

I get so frustrated when I try to download anything - it takes ages then the flippin thing hangs up about 5 mins before its completed.

I'll wait till I get my broadband sorted.

[Whitebeard]

I get so frustrated when I try to download anything - it takes ages then the flippin thing hangs up about 5 mins before its completed.

I'll wait till I get my broadband sorted.

Never mind, Windows Media Player should answer your playback needs. It does for me.

[Lou]

Mine hasn't - just a little CD-less box.

Me too. Maybe WittyBird's special?

[tattie]

I'm not going to play the blonde card or the girl card - I just quite blatently don't know what i'm doing...

Just bought a bog standard basic MP3 player and I can't seem to transfer any music on to it. The instructions say just drag files and put them in the relevant folder but it doesn't seem to want to do it. Any ideas? Does it need to be in a particular format? What is the difference between a wma and mp3 file?

I know I could probably find this out for myself, but i really don't care enough. I just want to be able to make the darn thing work!

Help?!

[David Bailey]

I'm not going to play the blonde card or the girl card - I just quite blatently don't know what i'm doing...

Join the club

Just bought a bog standard basic MP3 player and I can't seem to transfer any music on to it. The instructions say just drag files and put them in the relevant folder but it doesn't seem to want to do it.

When you plug your MP3 player into the PC, you should see a new folder appear on Windows Explorer (e.g. "F" drive, or whatever) - can you see that?

If so, you can just copy any MP3 files on your PC to that folder and, err, it should work. I think (judging by your description).

What make / model is the MP3 player?

Any ideas? Does it need to be in a particular format? What is the difference between a wma and mp3 file?

I think WMA files are the format you get when your Windows PC reads music from a CD. And I think you'll have to convert them to MP3 files to put them on your MP3 player, yes.

[tattie]

When you plug your MP3 player into the PC, you should see a new folder appear on Windows Explorer (e.g. "F" drive, or whatever) - can you see that?

If so, you can just copy any MP3 files on your PC to that folder and, err, it should work. I think (judging by your description).

hmmm - tried that and it didn't seem to like it...

What make / model is the MP3 player?

small and silver

I think WMA files are the format you get when your Windows PC reads music from a CD. And I think you'll have to convert them to MP3 files to put them on your MP3 player, yes.

I think that might be my problem... I'll give that a try.
Thanks for your help!

[David Bailey]

hmmm - tried that and it didn't seem to like it...

Don't confuse me with all this techie talk...

Did the files not copy OK? Or did they copy over but nothing happened when you tried to play them? if the latter, I think it's the format, and yes, you need to convert WMA to MP3.

[tattie]

Did the files not copy OK? Or did they copy over but nothing happened when you tried to play them? if the latter, I think it's the format, and yes, you need to convert WMA to MP3.

the files didn't appear in the folder - just kind of disappeared from under my mouse when I let go... I'll try changing the format tonight and see what happens. Otherwise I might have to resort to borrowing a boy

[ducasi]

Some "MP3" players can also play "WMA" files. "WMA" is a Microsoft-owned format that the Windows Media Player uses by default.

Even if you don't have an iPod, I believe iTunes can manage other MP3 players and translate WMA files into MP3 files for you.

[tattie]

Some "MP3" players can also play "WMA" files. "WMA" is a Microsoft-owned format that the Windows Media Player uses by default.

Even if you don't have an iPod, I believe iTunes can manage other MP3 players and translate WMA files into MP3 files for you.

Why can't everyone just use the same files and formats and get on with each other? Do they really think we have the time or inclination to spend our whole lives figuring out what needs to speak to who or what and who is uncompatible and won't talk to anyone who isn't on their wavelength...

It's like running a dating agency for teenagers with behavioural issues

[ducasi]

Why can't everyone just use the same files and formats and get on with each other? Do they really think we have the time or inclination to spend our whole lives figuring out what needs to speak to who or what and who is uncompatible and won't talk to anyone who isn't on their wavelength...

It's like running a dating agency for teenagers with behavioural issues

I blame the parents. Or society. Or both.

[Lynn]

Probably a very obvious question but...

If I download iTunes and buy music (the 79p a track option I believe?) can I then make up my own playlists and burn them to a CD? (to listen to in the car mainly).

[David Bailey]

Probably a very obvious question but...

If I download iTunes and buy music (the 79p a track option I believe?) can I then make up my own playlists and burn them to a CD? (to listen to in the car mainly).

I think there's a problem with that, isn't there? I'm not sure, but from what I recall, the format (!) doesn't allow you to do whatever you want with the tracks...

[clevedonboy]

I think there's a problem with that, isn't there? I'm not sure, but from what I recall, the format (!) doesn't allow you to do whatever you want with the tracks...

There are limitations - read the T&C's for details but one thing you can do is burn the tracks to CD up to 7 times (of course once it's on a cd you can rip it back again so the 7 times limit is a bit moot)

[Lynn]

There are limitations - read the T&C's for details but one thing you can do is burn the tracks to CD up to 7 times (of course once it's on a cd you can rip it back again so the 7 times limit is a bit moot)

Thanks. I just would want to be able to play on a CD as I have several CD players in house/car and like having music on.

[ducasi]

Probably a very obvious question but...

If I download iTunes and buy music (the 79p a track option I believe?) can I then make up my own playlists and burn them to a CD? (to listen to in the car mainly).

Yep, there's no problems doing that – you can burn the music you've bought onto any number of CDs, though if you make a play list with this protected music, you can only burn this play list a limited number of times. Not a problem for most folks...

[tattie]

this is starting to bug me quite a lot now...

Right - the instructions in the book are
"open the removeble disk icon... drag and drop WMA, MP3 and other files or folders on to the drive"

I interpret that as click on the song and drag it to the folder and drop it in. Am I being really stupid? I didn't think this would be difficult. And now I'm angry cos I can't use an angry smilie. I hate technology.

The MP3 player is a IITronics IMP 65 if that helps. And I lied before, its black, but the front bit is silver.

Anyone?

[DavidY]

this is starting to bug me quite a lot now...

Right - the instructions in the book are
"open the removeble disk icon... drag and drop WMA, MP3 and other files or folders on to the drive"

I interpret that as click on the song and drag it to the folder and drop it in. Am I being really stupid? I didn't think this would be difficult. And now I'm angry cos I can't use an angry smilie. I hate technology.

The MP3 player is a IITronics IMP 65 if that helps. And I lied before, its black, but the front bit is silver.

Anyone?

As DJ said I'd expect that if you look in My Computer before and after you plug it in, you would see an extra "Drive" would appear as D:,E:, F: (whichever's the next free letter on your PC).

So when you plug the MP3 player into the computer, what happens exactly? Does it make a noise? Does an extra icon appear at the bottom right hand side of the screen (near to the time)? (I'm assuming you're using Windows - which version if so?)

[ducasi]

It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong.

Think you need to "borrow a boy"... (Don't they have all sorts of up-market things in Edinburgh these days?!)

Here's an angry smiley for you...

Oops, it came out wrong!

[tattie]

Think you need to "borrow a boy"... (Don't they have all sorts of up-market things in Edinburgh these days?!)

I think you have to give them back though...

I give in - it's already taken one trip across the room and landed on a wooden floor, and it was only cheap - don't think it would survive another tantrum!

Thanks for all your help - I'd give you a hug but can't even do that now...